TECHNOLOGY

Mid-sized mobile

TOSHIBA ATTEMPTS to hit it the sweet spot between screen real estate and portability with its Tecra M8-S8011 notebook computer. It features a 13.3-in. wide-screen display, an Intel Core 2 Duo processor, a 120-gigabyte hard drive, an optical DVD disk drive and an integrated Webcam and microphone in a package weighing 4.5 lbs. Its built-in wireless connectivity uses the 802.11n standard, which is up to five times faster with up to twice the range compared to previous versions. Bluetooth version 2.0 and fast Gigabit Ethernet complete the connectivity package. To help safeguard the hard drive from mobile jolting, it integrates a 3-D accelerometer, an HDD vibration dome and vibration damping. The suggested retail price is $1,399. For more information, call 800/316-0920, visit www.toshiba.com or www.freeproduct info.net/fin, or circle 150.

4-way GPS handheld

THE GMS-2 GIS (Geographic Information System) handheld mobile GPS receiver from Topcon Positioning Systems combines dual-constellation tracking, an integrated digital camera, an electronic compass and a mapping system that can integrate multiple data layers. Using a Windows CE operating system, the GMS-2 is equipped with a color touch screen, an Intel processor, internal wireless Bluetooth connectivity, a rechargeable lithium ion battery, an SD memory slot and a USB port. It offers accuracy levels from submeter to centimeter. The GMS-2 GIS is available with Farm Site Mate mapping software Farm Works or TopPad, a device-specific version of ESRI's ArcPad data collection tool. The suggested retail price with Farm Site Mate is $4,150. For more information, call 925/245-8300, visit www.topcon.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 151.

Shockproof

OLYMPUS DESIGNED its new Stylus 770 SW digital camera to take great photos in nearly any environment, including in water at depths down to 33 ft. (an optional underwater housing extends the range to 130 ft.) and in winter weather as frigid as 14°F. It also can survive falls up to 5 ft. and up to 220 lbs. of pressure. The 7.1-megapixel camera has a stainless steel body, a 2.5-in. LCD screen, digital image stabilization technology and a 3X optical zoom lens with a macro mode that enables photographs as close as 2.8 in. The suggested retail price is $379.99. Contact Olympus, Dept. FIN, 3500 Corporate Pkwy., Center Valley, PA 18034, 888/553-4448, visit www.olympusamerica.com or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 152.

Ultra-tough cell phone

THE SANYO SCP-7050 cell phone from Qwest Communications meets U.S. Military Standard 810F specifications for vibration, dust and shock and features a high-quality speakerphone, rubber antislip cladding and voice-activated dialing. The phone is GPS navigation capable and offers walkie talkie-style communication through the Sprint PCS Ready Link system and multimedia services through Sprint PCS Vision. Other features include Bluetooth wireless headset readiness, two-way text messaging support, a 65K-color internal display, a 300-contact directory, a calculator and scheduler. The suggested retail price is $249.99, but the price is discounted with one- and two-year service contracts. For more information, call 800/244-1111, visit www.qwest.com/wireless or www.freeproductinfo.net/fin, or circle 153.